For refusing to approve the yearly celebration of the Ogun festival, angry youths at Ogbagi-Akoko, in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State last Friday chased away their traditional ruler, the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona.
It was gathered that the monarch, narrowly escaped being killed when the irate youth, armed with dangerous weapons stormed his palace demanding to know why he refused to approve the yearly ritual.
DailyPost gathered that the angry youth reportedly damaged vehicles and decorations in the palace worth millions of naira.
Speaking with journalists, some of the youth who pleaded anonymity said that the monarch had been disrespecting the town’s traditions since he was installed.
One of them said, “Our king has not been respecting our traditions. He has refused to join the Awo cult. He has refused to marry another wife after he became the king; and he has consistently refused to approve the celebration of some traditional festivities.
“He has flagrantly objected to all pleas for him to respect traditions and the culture of our people and has vowed that as a born-again Christian, he will never indulge in or encourage such traditional rites throughout his reign.”
It was gathered that the traditional ruler, a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God reportedly travelled out of the state in order to boycott the yearly Ogun festival.
On his return, the angry youth stormed his new palace and destroyed everything on sight.
It was further gather that other monarchs who were with him during the incident prevented the youth who insisted on killing Adetona.
Some of the monarch’s family members, said the anger of the community youth is unconnected with the monarch’s refusal to participate in idolatry by marrying a new wife when he ascended the throne.
When contacted to comment on the matter, Adetona said, “It is not yet time to comment on the issue”
Meanwhile the Ojumu of Ogbagi, who is next to the monarch, Chief Richard Balogun, said there were six monarchs in the palace to welcome Adetona back from his journey when the youth invaded the palace.
He said despite the monarch’s pleas to the youth to sheathe their swords, they insisted on killing him.
Balogun said, “However, news flied around that Ogbagi was boiling, hence policemen were drafted from Ikare and when they arrived, they started shooting sporadically.
“The youths were not happy. They thought that it was the monarch who brought in the security men to arrest and shoot them. They mobilised themselves after the policemen had gone, marched to the palace and carried out the wanton destruction.”
He added that, “Many important personalities including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, and other prominent political leaders, royal fathers and religious leaders had already intervened.
“The youth had agreed that the monarch should return to the palace. We are meeting everyday over the matter and I believe that it will be resolved before the end of this week.”
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